BBC slams Iran over man's arrest

The BBC has has attacked the Iranian authorities over a man who has reportedly been detained in Iran after broadcasting for the network's Farsi language service.

Hasan Fathi was apprehended by security agents after he broadcast a live report on Saturday about an explosion at the Revolutionary Guard depot that killed at least 17 soldiers, according to Iran's Fars news agency.

The BBC's Farsi language service is not authorised to operate in Iran, and working for the network is against the law.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "BBC Persian has no correspondents or employees in Iran.

"The service spoke to Mr Hasan Fathi as an independent commentator, as it does to other independent journalists, academics and other public figures from Iran."

The network criticised the Iranian authorities for "intimidating" its sources.

A spokesperson said: "We remain concerned about the ongoing efforts by the Iranian authorities to put pressure on the BBC for its balanced and impartial coverage and intimidating people who speak to us."